Flash light



Dec. l, w31. c. A. GILLINGHAM ET AL 1,834,612

FLASH LIGHT Filed March 17, 1930 ATTORNEYS.

atenteel ec. 1, 1931 ian STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES A. GILLINGHAM, OFLAKEWOOD, OHIO, AND WILLIAM.` WfPFLUG, OF WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK,ASSIGNORS TO NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY, INC., A CORPORA- '.rIoN or NEWYom:

FLASH LIGHT Application led March 17, 1930. Serial No. 436,565.

This invention pertains to a floating flashlight or seaplane landinglamp adapted for being lighted by the pilot of a seaplane when about tomake a night landing and then dropped to the water over which he isflying Where it will float and serve as a beacon to guide him inlocating the surface.

One object of the invention is to provide such a flashlight that may bedropped from a seaplane to the water from a considerable height withoutextinguishing the light.

Another object is to provide a switch for such a flashlight that latchesin closed position so it will not open when dropped into water fromconsiderable height. Y Another object is to provide such a flashlightthat will float in Water with the lamp bulb above the surface thereof soit may be seen from above.

As such flashlights are probably used but once, another object is toprovide such a lamp that is low in cost and at the same time rugged inconstruction.

Other aims, objects, and novel features,

will be apparent from the following description and the accompanyingillustrations, in which:

F ig. 1 is a vertical section of our floating flashlight 'having oneform of battery therein; and

Fig. 2 is a similar View of the same having another form of batterytherein.

The preferred form 'of our oating flashlight shownin the accompanyingdrawings has a metallic outer casing 10 of suitable form such as anelongated cylinder with a closed bottom. Within the lower end of thecasing 10 there is a battery of dry cells such as 11 shown in Fig. 1, or12 shown in Fig. 2. The battery 11 is smaller in diameter than thecasing 10 and is rigidly held therein by suitable spacing washers orcollars 13, and the battery 12 substantially fills the bottom of thecasing 10 and is rigidly held thereto by a filling of asphalt 14 orother thermoplastic material therebetween.

In the top of the casing 10 is an air space 15 large enough to float theflashlight on Water, or in other words, large enough so the Weight ofthe flashlight is less than the volume of water it displaces. The top ofthe casing 10 is sealed by a closure 16 ofthermoplastic material such asasphalt.

Imbedded in the closure 16 is a lamp bulb 17 and the fixed portion 18 ofa switch having the upper end thereof exposed and turned over to form arecess into which the resilient portion 19 of the switch is adapted tolatch. The resilient portion 19 may be attached to the casing 10 bysuitable means such as solder or it may be carried by the closure.

One terminal of the battery is electrically connected to the easing 10by a conductor 20 having its ends secured by solder or other suitablemeans, and the other terminal of the battery is electrically connectedto the lamp bulb 17 by a conductor 21 having its ends similarly secured.One end of the fixed portion 18 of the switch is electrically attachedor connected to the lamp bulb 17. Therefore, when the switch is closedby latching the resilient portion 19 in the recess in the exposed end ofthe fixed portion 18, the electrical circuit is from the battery 11 or12, through the conductor 21. lamp bulb 17, elements 18 and 19 of theswitch, casing l0, and conductor 20, back to the battery. i

For convenience in forming the closure 16 the upper end of the casingl() may first be closed by a diaphragm 22 of pulpboard orv othersuitable material to which the lamp bulb 17 and the fixed portion 18 ofthe switch are secured and held in place while the melted pitch 16 ispoured in place. In case the battery l1 consists 'of more than one cellthey may be electrically connected in any well known manner such as by awire 23 having one end soldered to each of the cells it joins. Whenforming the pitch closure 16 it is desirable to have a vent in thecasing 10 to relieve the air pressure therein caused by the hot pitchraising the temperature of the air thereby causing it to expand. Torelieve this air pressure a small opening may be left in the side of thecan 10 and then closed with solder 23 after the pitch closure 16 hascooled and hardened.

One of the' important features of our floating flashlight'is its longslim casing with most of the weight in the bottom thereof. Therefore,when it is dropped it tends to remain upright and` strike the waterendwise thereby lessening the shock. This arrangementl lof weight alsocauses it to float in an upright position with the lamp bulb above thesurface of the water so it may be seen from any direction.

Another important feature is the construction of the switch whereby itmay be latched in closed position in such a secure manner that it willnot be opened by the shock of striking the water or by other jars and jolts received in the service for which it is in tended.

Another important feature is the method of anchoring or imbedding thelamp bulb in the pitch closure in such a manner that it will not becomeloosened by the vibration and shocks to which such a lamp is subjected.

When the pilot of a seaplane attempts to make a night landing on waterit is difiicult for him to determine the distance his plane is above thesurface, and the present means of locating the Water surface areunsatisfactory. One of the chief uses for our oating flashlight isby'seaplane pilots when making night landings, and :for this purpose itis especially quick and easy to use as the pilot may snap the switch inclosed position with one hand and throw it overboard without evenlooking at it, and after it strikes the water it will serve as a beaconto guide him in locating the surface and in making a safe landing.

It is also within the scope of our invention to provide a resilientmounting for the lamp carried by said casing and adapted for being movedinto contact with said xed member; and means for completing the electriccircuit through said lamp and battery.

3. A floating flashlight weighing less than an equal volume of water andhaving a metallic casing; a battery in said casing; a closure sealingthe top of said casing; a lamp bulb carried by said closure; and meansfor completing the electrical circuit including a switch having a fixedmember and a movable member adapted to latch in a cavity in said fixedmember.

4. A oating ashlight having a casing; a

`.battery in said casmg; an air space in said casing large enough tofloat said flashlight on water; a closure sealing the top of saidcasing; a lamp bulb imbedded insaid closure; a switch having a ixedmember partially imbedded in said closure with a cavity in the exposedportion thereof, and a flexible member adapted-for being latched in saidcavity when said switch is in closed position; and means including saidcasing for completing the electric circuit through said lamp, battery,and switch.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

CHARLES A. GILLINGHAM. In testimony whereof, I aIiX my signature.

WILLIAM W. PFLUG;

bulb to still further reduce the shocks transl mitted thereto; toprovide a suitable reiector for the lamp bulb; to provide fins on theoutside of the casing to help keep it in a vertical position whenfalling through air; to provide a ointed or projectile shaped bottom tostill fiirther lessen the shock when it strikes the water; and toprovide retarding fins on the casing to reduce the depth of penetrationin the water. The iiashlight may also be constructed in various formsother than that shown, and various equivalent materials may besubstituted for those specified.

We claim:

1. A floating flashlight having a casing; a battery in said casing; anair space in said casing large enough to oat said lamp on -water; aclosure of thermoplastic material sealing the topof said casing; a lampbulb imbedded in said closure; and means including a switch forcompleting the electric circuit through said lamp and battery.

2. A floating flashlight having a casing; a battery in said casing; anair space in said casing above said battery; a closure of thermoplastlcmaterial sealing the top of said casing; a lamp bulb imbedded in saidclosure; a switch having a fixed member electrically connected to saidlamp and partially imbedded in said closure, and a flexible member

